This weekend on a shoestring

• “Thrive is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what’s really going on in our world by following the money upstream — uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives,” reads a synopsis of the film. “Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness and activism, Thrive offers real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and our future.” Screen the documentary at Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St.). An optional 30-minute discussion will immediately follow. 7 p.m. Free.

• Anyone who’s been to Dobra Tea (78 N. Lexington Ave.) knows its worldly ambiance is the perfect backdrop for poetry set to flute music. So don’t miss Said Osio and Greg Lathrop as they present “poems for the night inspired by Ryokan,” an evening of poetry, flute and imagery at the downtown tea room. 8 p.m.

• Step into the shoes of a tourist and maybe even learn something new with the Asheville Art Adventure iPhone app, developed by local brother and sister team Brian Turner and Robin Turner Oswald. From a press release, “Starting this month visitors and locals alike will have a new way to explore downtown Asheville with the Asheville Art Adventure powered by Fingo Adventures’ new iPhone app. Part navigation, part tour guide and part scavenger hunt, the Asheville Art Adventure will feature all 30 Urban Trail stops and all six city-supported pieces of public art. Using the Asheville Art Adventure app, visitors will be able to identify urban trail stops, navigate to the stops and then access historical information, local trivia and archival photos.” Info: www.GoFingo.com.

Friday, Dec. 9

• Food becomes art at Ephemeralization, “a show of extreme mushroom growing” where “each artist will be designing a unique housing for oyster mushroom kits,” according to a release for the event. “Join in this sustainable event and taste the future of growing food from art. There will be crafts for kids as well as entertainment, food trucks and chef demos.” Held at the French Broad Studios (475 Fletcher Martin Road, Alexander) from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Info: overawed@mindspring.com.

• The Classic World Cinema Film Series, a weekly screening hosted at the Courtyard Gallery‘s upstairs Railroad Library (109 Roberts St., River Arts District), presents Closely Watched Trains (Czechoslovakia 1966) by Jiri Menzel, winner of the 1967 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. From the Series’ website, “A young man follows in his father’s footsteps and joins the railway company, where he learns the job and has his first affair. Set in the country, during the German occupation.” 8 p.m. Free.

• Enjoy a traditional art form in an “unconventional setting” as Hops and Arias kicks off a series of opera performances with a show at Craggie Brewing Company (197 Hilliard Ave.), featuring three sets with piano accompaniment. According to organizers, the free events aim to capture a “more raucous atmosphere than can be achieved in a concert setting.” 8 p.m.

• Asheville’s favorite (and arguably friendliest) punk/hardcore outfit Just Die! takes the stage of The Get Down (1045 Haywood Road) to raise funds for the recently reopened venue. According to event organizers, local law enforcement has recently issued a number of citations for noise violations. From a Facebook page for the event, “Each violation is $300! As a result, The Get Down must now limit shows to only three bands, and all shows have to occur between 9 p.m. and midnight. So what’s a punk to do? Duh, support the scene! ALL of the cover charge for this show goes to help The Get Down build up a ‘legal defense fund’ to take care of future noise citations. Go to this show and bring your friends! Defend The Get Down!” Drunk in a Dumpster and The Budget open. 9 p.m. $5.

• “A Ghost Like Me is an instrumental space rock band from Asheville, N.C., that includes former members of Crystal Kind and Stankface along with current members of The Dark Shave and Big Hungry. The roots of AGLM started in 2007 as a recording project in Oakland C.A., called FLitCH. Now with its new home in Asheville, A Ghost Like Me has quickly transformed from recording project to live band. The band just released its first full length recording The New Paradigm in late May 2011.” Space out when the band plays the recently-opened Adam Dalton Distillery (251 Biltmore Ave.) with live electronica outfit Nomadic. Free. 9 p.m.